Addressing gaps in IMO audit

Nigerian maritime authority meets with IMO leadership

Nigeria is seeking to update obsolete information at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as they aim to address shortfalls identified in the 2016 IMO audit.

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, met with the Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, at the IMO headquarters in London at the beginning of the month.

Mobereola confirmed that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, had established a committee to address areas of concern raised in the 2016 IMO audit report. This includes reviewing NIMASA’s enabling laws and effectively implementing a corrective action plan.

Dominguez noted NIMASA’s efforts to engage with the technical team at IMO to address the gaps identified by the IMO’s audit.

”I am happy that you, DG, are meeting with IMO technical staff on how to close all identified gaps before the next audit cycle. This is a step in the right direction, and we are ready to give any technical support,” he told the NIMASA delegation.

“We do not see the IMO audit as an examination but rather as a guide to assist Nigeria in achieving its potential; hence, my decision to get personally involved. We need to get the basics right,” said Mobereola, who highlighted Nigeria’s ambitions to become a noted voice in global maritime diplomacy.

“My tenure will leverage existing relationships both locally and internationally to sustain the momentum in safety and security within the Nigerian maritime domain. The creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry in Nigeria emphasises the policy direction of this administration. Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria plays an active leading role not just in the region or the IMO, but in the global maritime space,” he said.

Dominguez commended the country on their efforts to maintain safety and security in the region. “I want to appreciate the effort of Nigeria on the progress made so far as regards security in the Gulf of Guinea region. There were concerns due to the situation in the Red Sea and resultant pressure around the Gulf of Guinea, but we are pleased that the situation has remained the same. We at IMO have been working with Nigeria through NIMASA and we desire that the partnership continues,” he said.